Local News
This page will be used for info on Police, Fire, and EMS news from around the county and surrounding area.
Evarts Fire Department received a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to purchase new turnout gear. The department will be gitting new SCBA and Cascade system. In total the department received over $120,000 in grant money. Also the department received an award for being the most improved fire department in southeastern Kentucky from the Kentucky Firefighters Association in December of 2005. Hats off to Fire Chief David McGill.
Lynch Fire Department purchased a new KME fire truck. This was the first fire truck the department has purchased since 1967. The truck was purchased with a Homeland Security grant of $220,000.
Harlan EMS distributes AED defibrillators to County to help save lives. Five AED's (automatic external defibrillator) were presented to Harlan County in 2005. The Harlan County Rescue Squad, Bledsoe Fire Department, Evarts Fire Department, Harlan County Health Department, and Harlan County Justice Center each received a unit for emergencys. The AED's were purchased with a federal grant directed to placing AED's in rural areas. Thanks gose out to the director of Harlan EMS, D.W. Baker for working so hard to get the units for the county.
Sunshine Volunteer Fire Department and Chief Jack Lundy hosted Kentucky Governor Ernie Flecher in September. Gov. Flecher presented SVFD a thermal imaging camera. In total 11 KY fire departments recived cameras from the governor. "Kentucky is fortunate to have dedicated firefighters who put their lives on the line every day to protect the citizens of our state," said Flecher. "These thermal imaging cameras will enable our firefighters to save more lives, better protect our citizens and prevent injuries or deaths to themselves."
The Harlan City Fire Department received a new 2005 Pierce Contender at a value of $250.000 in September of 2005.The new truck was purchased with a 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Members of the HCFD gathered at the station to look it over, including, FF Jimmy Blanton, FF Trina Willams, Lt. Allen Blanton, ff Vern Guffy, Lt. James Billings, Jr. FF Corey Miller, and Chief Linette Hutchison.
Life Care EMS ambulance unit #9 overturned on U.S. 119 at Totz, KY and injured a patient and Firefighter-EMT Jason Manns after a utility truck stop suddenly in front of the ambulance to make a turn. Driver of the ambulance EMT Darrel Owens was not injured. The patient and Manns was transported by Life Care EMS to Harlan ARH. Tri-City Rescue Squad and Putney Volunteer Fire Department along with Kentucky State Police were at the scene of the crash on October 26, 2005.
The name of Sunshine Volunteer Fire Department Chief Lester Phillips has been inscribed on the state and national memorials honoring firefighters who died in the line of duty. Ceremonies were held Oct. 5, 2005 at the seventh annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at Juniper Hill's Park in Frankfort and on Oct. 9, 2005 at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Md. Chief Phillips died Aug. 4, 2004 after suffering a heart attack while battling a mobile home fire at the Greenfield Trailer Park. Pictured above is Jay Phillips being presented a flag and rose in honor of his Grandfather Chief Phillips. Also shown are Chief Phillips son, Jeff, and daughter-in-law, Karen.
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